MancHester City Footbal Club’s Cityzens Giving Programme, Citi UAE AND Emirates Foundation KAFA’AT Program

Manchester City Football Club in partnership with Citibank UAE and Emirates Foundation Kafa’at Program hosted a two-day community football coaching and leadership workshop for aspiring sports leaders at New York University Abu Dhabi on October 21 and 22, 2016. The Cityzens Giving Young Leader training forms part of Manchester City Football Club’s Cityzens Giving initiative, which supports young leaders around the world to tackle pressing social problems through the power of football.

“Citi is proud to partner with Manchester City Football Club and Emirates Foundation Kafa’at Program to host this workshop to unlock new opportunities for aspiring sports leaders in the UAE,” said Elissar Farah Antonios, Chief Executive Officer of Citi UAE.  “At Citi we are committed to promoting a culture of health through our Live Well at Citi program and believe that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can enable the youth in the region reach their full potential,” she said.

The training hosted close to 30 young Emiratis and focused on community football coaching with in class and on the pitch workshops on leadership, healthy living, life building skills, practical planning and using football as a tool to positively impact social issues.

Tom Pitchon, City Football Group Foundation Director said: “Manchester City’s community commitment dates back to the founding of the Club over 130 years ago.  We are proud to be rolling out the Cityzen Giving Young Leader training in Abu Dhabi to help upskill young people who are currently using football for social good.’’

“We want to equip these young leaders with the leadership, confidence and football coaching skills they need to have a genuine impact in their community but also inspire the next generation of community football leaders.” 

Commenting on the workshop, Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO of Emirates Foundation said: “We are delighted to partner with Citi and Manchester City Football Club and work more closely with organisations that have a stake in youth development and, particularly youth empowerment and leadership. We strongly believe that leadership development amongst youth is of paramount importance if we are to tackle successfully some of the most urgent social issues of our time, particularly those related to the youth.”

Al Habsi elaborated: “Through the Kafa’at Programme, we aim to nurture a new generation of Emirati leaders, we focus on teaching leadership skills to help aspiring young leaders navigate the complexities of the 21st century. This includes, developing their leadership styles and communication skills and empowering them to understand the opportunities of their immediate economy and applying these skills in their work environment and daily life.”

In 2015, Manchester City Football Club and Citi announced a new sponsorship that saw the English Premier League Club join forces with the leading global bank. Through this multi-year agreement, Citi became an official banking partner of Manchester City FC. Since its acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, Manchester City has risen to become one of England’s most successful football clubs.